Xiaozhuang laughed and shook her head, pointing at Su’moer.
“Stop learning from this girl, she’ll only rile you up.”
Su’moer smiled without answering.
Fang He felt like she’d just fenced with a master, only to find it was a battle of wits.
She was a bit lost.
‘What, is everyone here a trained actor now? What are they up to?’
When Su’moer helped Fang He sit down, Xiaozhuang’s face relaxed again and she smiled.
“The Emperor tells you everything, doesn’t he? Did he tell you—”
Fang He hurriedly covered her ears.
“I know nothing, I heard nothing, I hear nothing!”
‘Knowing too much gets you killed in the palace!’
‘At most… I’ll ask Kangxi when I get back. If he hides any juicy gossip, I can use my pregnancy as an excuse to pester him!’
“Rather than say Xiaokang was killed by me, it’s more that she still had some motherly compassion and regretted nearly killing the Emperor, so after her punishment, she sought death on purpose.” Xiaozhuang, seeing Fang He didn’t want to hear it, insisted on telling her anyway.
She said irritably, “If I’d really killed Xiaokang, would the Emperor still treat me with such filial piety? With his temperament, he’d have banished me to a villa by now.”
That day, she was infuriated by the palace maid’s boldness in spying on imperial secrets.
If they’d had more time, the uprising of the bondservants might have toppled the court.
Xiaozhuang trusted too much in Kangxi’s imperial strength, which made her all the more uneasy.
Calling Fang He here today wasn’t to scare her—it was truly to give her a gift.
“Those three items are my gift to you, for use in the harem. Do you understand my meaning?”
Fang He’s eyes widened in shock.
Was the old lady telling her to go on a killing spree?
Xiaozhuang was amused by Fang He’s wide, round eyes.
“You trust the Emperor, but isn’t it because of the chaos between Uya-shi and the Emperor?”
“I’m removing this hidden danger for you. From now on, no matter how ruthless you are, you’ll be acting on imperial orders. As long as the Great Qing is ruled by filial piety, neither the court nor the harem nor even the Emperor himself can hold you accountable.”
It was only now, after entering the hall, that Fang He truly felt afraid.
She shrank her neck.
“What do you want me to do? I’d better say up front—I’m timid, lazy, greedy, and lustful, really not cut out for great responsibilities!”
Xiaozhuang and Su’moer: “…………”
“Did a consort really just admit to being lustful?”
“I don’t expect you to do anything grand.” Xiaozhuang gave Fang He a sidelong glance, half-smiling.
“Just one thing: if the Emperor and Crown Prince ever create turmoil that threatens the nation, I hope you can mediate.”
Fang He shook her head even faster and said, “That’s truly beyond me.”
She might not know much history, but even she’d heard of the Crown Prince being deposed and reinstated twice.
Even in the dramas, the root of the father-son conflict was imperial power—whether the Crown Prince slept with a consort or committed some crime, it was always just an excuse for the victor.
Xiaozhuang understood this even better.
She patiently explained, “I’m not asking you to guarantee the Crown Prince’s succession, only that you do your best to advise them.”
“But I do want you to promise that the Emperor won’t, out of love for you, follow in his father’s footsteps and do something he’ll regret. Everything must put the nation first. Can you do that?”
Fang He thought it over—this was no problem.
If she ever had a son who took the throne, it would be because her son wanted it and could outcompete Yong’er, not because of her favor.
Besides, was Kangxi the type to be ruled by love?
“I can promise you, I will never use my relationship with the Emperor to interfere with court stability, seek power, or cause chaos in the palace.”
After all, there wasn’t much between them.
She trusted his abilities as Emperor as much as she doubted his loyalty as a husband.
“If I ever break this, may I and all those I love suffer eternal damnation, shunned by gods and ghosts!”
‘If the worst happens… Just say you’re not superstitious. That’s the belief every good Communist youth should hold!’
“All right, you may go. I’m tired.” Xiaozhuang was quite satisfied with Fang He’s promise.
“Leave those things with Su’moer. She’ll remain at Cining Palace as proof of my will.”
Su’moer was a bit stunned, feeling as if her mistress was giving final instructions, and her smile faltered.
***
After Fang He and Su’moer left, Xiaozhuang gave a cold snort.
“Come out! When will you ever stop eavesdropping?”
Since childhood, he had been curious.
Once he climbed a tree to overhear her talking to Soni but got stuck.
Out of pride he refused the guards help and eventually had to jump down himself.
The rascal was fine but ended up breaking Zhao Chang’s leg.
He still hadn’t changed and sooner or later, that girl would make trouble for him a few more times.
Kangxi rubbed his nose and sheepishly stepped out from behind the screen.
He looked normal enough, but his eyes shone with irrepressible joy.
Clearly, he’d heard quite a bit of what Fang He had said just now.
He hadn’t expected that, in Fang He’s heart, she truly respected him as an Emperor—so different from the unreasonable way she acted during arguments.
Clearly, she was just as stubborn as he was!
“Imperial Matron… I was only worried Consort Zhao would upset you, and you’d fret over her child…”
“Enough, don’t bother acting tough in front of me. What haven’t I seen you do?” Xiaozhuang waved him off.
But her smile deepened.
“Still, your taste is better than your father’s. This girl is a good one—treat her well.”
After a pause, Xiaozhuang’s expression softened, and she looked at Kangxi with great affection.
“All these years, with so many troubles inside and out, I’ve been too strict with you and neglected you a lot. You’ve had it hard.”
Kangxi’s eyes grew hot.
He knelt before Xiaozhuang, clutching her aged hand.
“Please don’t say that, Matron. Without you, I couldn’t have kept the ancestral legacy. As long as you stay with me, I won’t feel it’s hard.”
Xiaozhuang smiled, stroking Kangxi’s head.
“All right, all right. I’ll stay with you a while longer, watch you defeat Jungar, and become an Emperor whose name will shine in history.”
***
While the two shared their warmth, over at Chengqian Palace, the atmosphere was icy cold.
Tongjia Wanying knelt by the Imperial Noble Consort’s bed, weeping bitterly.
“Sister, no matter what you think of me, I never wanted to compete with you for the Emperor. I never wanted to enter the palace.”
“The Fourth Prince may be a Tongjia, but his birth is humble. Even if our clan wants to protect him, with Uya’s status, the Emperor would never let him inherit.”
The Imperial Noble Consort kept her eyes shut, lips curled in a mocking smile.
“Your family wants you in the palace, to bear a prince of Tongjia blood, hoping to snatch the throne from the Crown Prince?”
“All my people have gone to you, to help your child rise. In the future, do you expect my Zhen’er to serve your son?”
“Tongjia Wanying, you’re so cunning—you even convinced Father to demand your entry into the palace to tend to the sick. The selection is coming soon, and with your skills, you’ll pass easily. So why come begging to me?”
Tongjia Wanying’s tears fell harder, her voice growing more choked.
“If you don’t want me in the palace, why would I go and make you sad? You’re cutting out my heart!”
If her sister were still alive, even if she passed the selection, at most she’d be a concubine, maybe even just a Noble Lady.
Originally, Tongjia Wanying thought there was no need to rush—just wait until her sister passed away, and sooner or later, her clan’s blood would help her reach high rank.
But now she heard that a Consort Zhao favored above all others had appeared and Tongjia Wanying grew impatient.
If she entered at a low rank, not only would she face her sister’s resentment, but she’d have no way to compete with Consort Zhao for favor.
Who knew how long her sister might live?
If she lasted a few more years, and Consort Zhao’s bond with the Emperor grew stronger, what chance would Tongjia Wanying have?
Thinking this, Tongjia Wanying cried even harder.
“Sister, even if not for the family, you should consider the Fourth Prince!”
“If you’re gone, all the consorts in the palace hate his birth mother. As a half-legitimate son, he’ll only be feared and isolated. Who will protect him?”
“We’re full sisters—whatever I may think, I’d never harm you or the Fourth Prince!”
The Imperial Noble Consort’s heart ached.
She opened her eyes, looking toward the prince’s quarters.
That child had secretly made her maltose cakes for her birthday to make her take her medicine.
He burned his own hands but still insisted on writing a hundred characters a day.
Who knew if his hands had even healed yet?
She hated Uya, but no matter what, she couldn’t hate the child who’d called her mother since birth.
She turned, staring hard at Tongjia Wanying.
“Do you dare swear by what you just said?”
Tongjia Wanying gripped her handkerchief tighter, biting her lip as she raised her hand.
“I, Tongjia Wanying, swear by the lives of the entire Tongjia clan and my future children—if any word I just said to my sister is a lie, may we all die horribly and be reborn as beasts in our next life!”
She truly wouldn’t harm the Fourth Prince.
But if someone else did, how could she know?
Tongjia Wanying was unafraid, her expression sincere.
The Imperial Noble Consort scrutinized her for a long time before closing her eyes again, her voice much weaker.
“If Father can persuade the Emperor, then prepare to enter the palace.”
This selection was handled by the Empress Dowager, the Imperial Noble Consort, Consort Hui, Consort Rong, and Consort Yi.
As the Imperial Noble Consort, holding plenty of leverage over the others, it wouldn’t be hard to get their cooperation.
As long as the Emperor didn’t object, Tongjia Wanying would certainly enter the palace.
Tongjia Wanying was overjoyed—if she could bring attendants, she’d at least receive consort-level treatment.
Once her sister died, given the Emperor’s favor toward the Tongjia clan, she’d be at least an Imperial Noble Consort.
But she wasn’t satisfied with just a consort’s rank.
If she entered as a consort, and her sister died, maybe she could directly become Imperial Noble Consort.
But—
She couldn’t touch the other three consorts, so the only target left was Consort Zhao.
Tongjia Wanying’s eyes reddened as she watched the medicine being prepared for her sister, already planning what she could do.
No matter how shrewd she was, Tongjia Wanying never expected the opportunity to come so suddenly.
The eighteenth day of the third month was the Emperor’s birthday.
The selection, set by the Ministry of Rites and the Astronomical Bureau, would take place one month after, on the eighteenth of the fourth month.
To prepare, Tongjia Wanying went home at the end of March and gathered her belongings and attendants for entering the palace.
On the first day of the fourth month before dawn, Kangxi had just put on his court robes and was about to go to court when Yu Quangui suddenly stumbled in and knelt outside the main hall of Yanxi Palace.
“Your Majesty!” His voice was no longer gentle, but sharp with grief.
“The ancestor passed away peacefully in her sleep!!”
Fang He’s due date was at the end of April.
By now, she was so heavy she couldn’t sleep well.
She was half-awake when she heard Kangxi get up but didn’t want to move.
When she heard Yu Quangui’s wailing voice, she was shocked and struggled to get up.
As soon as she parted the curtains, she saw Kangxi’s body sway.
“Your Majesty! Please take care of yourself!” Liang Jiugong was in tears, supporting Kangxi.
Kangxi’s vision went black.
Just yesterday morning, when he’d gone to pay his respects, the Imperial Matron had seemed fine—how could she be gone so suddenly?
“I don’t believe it! You must be mistaken, you wretched servant!” Kangxi growled in a low voice.
“Men, take Yu Quangui away and beat him to death!”
Yu Quangui only covered his mouth, “sobbing” silently, not begging for his life.
He’d served his mistress all his life—now that she was gone, he truly didn’t want to live.
“Your Majesty, calm yourself.” Fang He quickly grasped Chunlai’s hand, her hair loose, getting up.
“Cining Palace still needs Yu Anda to arrange the ancestor’s funeral.”
Kangxi, eyes red, glared at Fang He.
“Be quiet!”
With that, he turned like a trapped beast, striding out of the main hall and hurrying toward Cining Palace.
Fang He ignored Kangxi’s outburst.
She didn’t understand the pain of losing a loved one—her own family had always been long-lived.
But she could understand the grief of losing your only blood relative.
She put on her clothes, ignoring her hair, and calmly gave orders:
“Wei Zhu, send Yu Anda back.”
“Liu An, catch up with Li Dequan and have him send people to all the palaces with the news.”
“Chen Shun, you go too—stay with Liang Anda and remind him to inform the ministers quickly. Get the ancestor’s funeral arrangements started; listen to Liang Anda for the rest.”
Wei Zhu, Liu An, and Chen Shun hurried to carry out her orders.
“Cui Wei, immediately take down all inappropriate items. Xinke, take people to fetch mourning silks and cotton for changing the hangings.”
“Xinnan, Xinhua, Xinzi—guard Yanxi Palace. When I’m washed and ready, Chunlai and Fule, you’ll come with me to Cining Palace.”
Everyone was so stunned by the sudden news that they followed Fang He’s orders instinctively.
In less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Fang He had changed into mourning clothes, her face grave, and, supported by Chunlai and Fule, headed outside.
There was no way she could last a whole month—she just hoped she wouldn’t be too exhausted to give birth.
Fang He felt short of breath, her belly starting to ache.
She clutched Fule’s hand and instructed, “Later, go to the storeroom and pick out some herbs to boost my energy. If it’s not enough, go to the Imperial Hospital but be sure to get—”
Before she could finish, her whole body froze.
In disbelief, she looked down.
Chunlai and Fule, puzzled, followed her gaze to the floor and saw a small wet patch at Fang He’s feet.
Chunlai was completely at a loss for the first time her mouth agape, unable to say a word.
Fule panicked as well—neither the midwife nor the wet nurse were here; they were still being inspected by the Household Department.
Even with rehearsals, she’d never delivered a baby herself!
But Fang He remained the calmest.
She turned back, bumping into Cui Wei, who was directing the hanging of mourning drapes, and said steadily, “Cui Wei, go fetch Physician Zhang Yuyi and the midwife.”
Cui Wei’s eyes went wide with shock—at this moment?!
She ignored her inner panic and even forgot propriety, lifting her skirts and rushing outside.
Fang He continued assigning tasks—
“Just as we practiced: Xinnan, boil water, prepare gauze, scissors, and strong liquor, and make me something to eat—I’m hungry.”
“Xinhua, take the new maids and guard the hall entrance. Except for Physician Zhang Yuyi, the midwife, Liang Jiugong, and Li Dequan, let no one in!”
“Xinzi, personally prepare ginseng soup—don’t let it out of your sight, and only you may bring it to me.”
“Xinke, supervise the midwife in the birthing room. Chunlai, stay with me. If anyone acts strangely, knock them out immediately.”
“Fule, get ready to help deliver the baby!”
After all the orders, Fang He clapped her hands as if nothing had happened and said:
“Don’t just stand there—get moving, I’m about to give birth!”